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Thanx to all contributors.
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| Michelle, UK |
South Shields, The Turks
Head - October 10, 2000
(See pix at Photos - page 3)
Management at the Turks Head certainly knew that they had a class-act in Kevin Montgomery/Doug Pettibone, recognising that the next time the guys are in our Geordie land they can rightly command as their own, much bigger venues, - but, would they want that? Who knows - the intimate, cosy venue definitely fitted Kevin's laid-back and audience-orientated approach.
Certainly, Kevin and Doug gave the small (about 70 strong) audience at the Turks, their very, very best. What the venue might have lacked in décor and numbers, it made up for in the enthusiasm of its audience and when the music started, nothing else mattered.
Kicking off with "Another Long Story", shortly followed by the audience request for "Wishing", the number co-penned by Kevin's father, Bob Montgomery, with the legendary Buddy Holly, the scene was set for a great evening of over 2 hours of non-stop music.
Every song from the "Another Long Story" new album was interwoven with golden oldie material from the "Fear Nothing" album as well as Kevin treating us to some brand new numbers. Courageously, Doug ably accompanied Kevin on previously unheard material - where the guys liked the results they showcased whole new songs, where it didn't "fit", they put it away for fine tuning at another moment in time - rare and wonderful glimpses of things to come!
When is the genius and talent of Kevin Montgomery going to receive the recognition it truly deserves??
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| Lou
and Andreas, Germany |
Birmingham, The Old Chapel - September 2, 2000
Birmingham was the largest of the cities we went to. The Old Chapel is located in a suburb. Here is the original text from the brochure: "The restored Victorian Old Chapel has become Birmingham's most exciting live music venue, with a capacity of 200 seated or 310 standing. There is extensive free parking and a fully licensed bar. The superb acoustic of the original building have been augmented by state of the art digital sound equipment and full lighting rig to television production standard, giving an extremely flexible and spacious, yet intimate atmosphere."
In front of the Old Chapel, we already met with Jacky and her family. For the very first time, we saw Pat and her husband, and we were glad to meet them in person. We also said hello to Hannah. Thus, some fans from the Mavfiles list had come anyway.
The stage was rather far away from the audience, and the seats were arranged like in an auditorium, so everyone was able to watch the concert well. The acoustics were unique, and probably the best we ever had. Once again, the boys were wonderful, brilliant as always, and the show was a real success. The atmosphere was very good, and the boys had much fun on stage once more, and that dense atmosphere, of course, could be felt by all the audience as well. The only thing that was a bit annoying was that people kept walking up and down the stairs 1to get themselves their drinks from the bar.
Oh, yes, it was Paul's birthday, and it was lots of fun singing "Happy Birthday" for him together. He really enjoyed that all the audience sung for him.
After the show, there was once again enough time left to talk with the boys and all the other fans. We also met the two fans again we already saw in Nottingham and Leicester. It felt good that many people had the opportunity to attend more than one concert. And we were happy that finally, Pat had had his Idle Jets CD called "Atomic Fireball" for sale, too.
This was our last concert, we said good-bye to everyone, and we received the promise they would come back to the UK again in spring 2001. With this joyful anticipation, and with the memory of a fantastic week in England in our hearts, we drove back to the hotel. The next morning, we were already heading for the ferry to the Netherlands in our left-hand drive car which was such a perfect vehicle for these exciting days, and we arrived exhausted, but with the music in our heads in Germany.
You made us so happy, you boys and our fellow fans: thanks a lot!
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| Lou
and Andreas, Germany |
Having arrived in Nottingham, we spent the day to follow the traces of Robin Hood. In the evening, however, we went to see our second concert. "The Maze" in Nottingham was just a ten minutes walk away from our hotel. We arrived much too early, and the doors were still closed. Outside, there was a poster with the picture of the "Another Long Story" CD. It did not take long, and the tour bus with the boys arrived, and it was a very warm hello. They took us inside with them, and the people over there knew us already as we had ordered the tickets by phone from Germany.
"The Maze" is a small and cozy venue with little round tables, surrounded by stools. On a higher level (just one foot higher), there were places for people who like to stand. Once again, we were able to follow the sound check. Although the place filled up with people, we were alone this time, there was nobody else from the Mailing List. At the table next to us, there were two fans who we already saw in Leicester. Before the show began, we were asked to approach the stage by some four or five feet, so other people could stand behind us. Of course, we followed that request very happily.
Jeff was the first one to enter the stage, and sang his fantastic songs which you simply cannot hear enough. Something was different, as Lou has asked him to sing "Eighteen Tons". He had not planned to sing that particular song, probably because he thought it was too long. But he sang it !!! Jeff, another big THANKS from me here. Once again, Jeff received much applause and shouts, the audience was really great. And Jeff was very relaxed, you could see that he was having fun.
After a short break, the band came out, and opened the show with "Another Long Story" once again. Once more, we heard such great songs as "Broken", "Stumbled", "Wishing", "Melrose", and "Your Kind of Love", to name just a few. Kevin fulfilled the special wish of a lady, and sang "Red Blooded American Boy", a wonderful song full of a wide range of feelings. Pat and Robert had joined them, too, singing powerful songs. Later, Jeff joined the gang once more, entering the stage with his typical phrase "Thought you've got rid of me, didcha?".
It was really great fun seeing all of them on stage. Once again, they had lots of things to tell, and we, the audience, did not only listen patiently, but excited. They were merry, and you really got the feeling that all those people in that place were just a bunch of friends. Of course, they earned themselves lots of applause, shouts, and whistles. The atmosphere was just gorgeous.
Like two days before, the show ended in the famous "Fear Nothing" - an absolutely magnificent song which fits wonderfully to Kevin's fantastic voice. The end of the song was, once again, sung together with the audience. All the lucky people who were wise enough to come have passed an amusing evening and seen a great show.
After the concert, the boys went to have a beer with the audience (isn't that terrific?), and we were able to talk to them. There was still a poster which hung from the wall inside, and we received it from John, the tour manager. The opportunity was just as it should be, so all the gang put their autographs on the poster, making it a unique souvenir
Once again, we spent a wonderful evening - let's say a big word of thanks to Kevin & co - and around half past one a.m., we went downhill toward our hotel, knowing we would see them again in Sheffield ...
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| Lou
and Andreas, Germany |
It was a rainy day in Sheffield (well, you want at least a bit of rain when you travel to the UK, don't you?), and on the way to the venue, the "Boardwalk", we met with Sylvia. We were really glad to meet her, as it was also the very first time we saw her. Together, we went to the boardwalk which was quite close, situated just half a mile from the city center and the "Supertram" station. Although there was a display case with posters, there was none of the Kevin Montgomery tour, and there were no ads at all to be seen in the entire city.
The venue was larger than the ones in Leicester and Nottingham. The entry area of the pub had many colorful glass windows, and the audience room was very long. Some twenty feet away from the stage began an area of square tables with four chairs each. Further behind were a row of higher tables with bar stools. Behind, there was a lot of space for people to stand - but that was just too much for the small number of people who attended the show.
As we were the first to be there, we did not only get another opportunity to see and hear them doing their sound check, but we even got a mug of that genuine British instant coffee from the band galley which we had to brew ourselves. We actually never had something like that ever before ...
As always, Jeff was the first to come on stage, and he was really great once more. You could feel he had so much fun singing his songs, and on top of that, they DO have great texts. Once again, Pat joined him with his guitar. And once more, "Eighteen Tons" was the greatest of all he sang.
Kevin, Robert, Paul, and Pat were in the best mood again, they were simply fantastic. They played their music like real pros, and they told lots of stories to the audience - not so many people, but they listened attentively and applauded like nuts. Jeff came later to join them: he had rested some time on the couch, and his hair was standing high. Due to the red light, his hair looked rather red as well - that's at least what's on the photos which have turned out quite good. It will take some time to scan them, we've made quite a few, so hang on, we'll tell you on this mailing list when they'll become available.
After the show, they joined the audience in their typical way, we talked a lot, and had lots of fun. Another great opportunity to get an autograph of Jeff's on his "Original Fin" tour T-shirt.
Then, it was time to say goodbye, and the next morning, we drove to Birmingham with Andreas' small Japanese car with the typical German left-hand drive.
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| Ian
Reay,
UK |
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When
Kevin Montgomery sings, the world tends to listen. A
songwriter that needs to feel 'inspired' before putting
pick to guitar string, he epitomises the adage 'If it's
worth doing, it's worth doing well'.
It is now seven years since his landmark Byrds-eque 'Fear Nothing' album was released in the
U.S.
Since that time his determination to do things in his
own time has seen him lose the support of his record company,
meander through a number of high-profile collaborations and
experience occasional success with artists covering his
material.
However,
in that time he has also put together the most achingly
beautiful set of songs, possibly of the last decade, packaged
and released them on his own record label, and is in the
process of promoting 'Another Long Story' at a series of
low-key intimate gigs across Europe.
Worldwide
success for Kevin Montgomery could and should have been there
for the taking, yet here we are in a room above a pub in
Preston, being enveloped in his immaculate vocals and melodic
anthems to life, love and heartbreak. The music never fails to lift the soul as his lyrics
take us on a journey down the Pacific Coast Highway, meeting
characters and encountering the situations that have shaped
his career and brought him to this new beginning.
On
this tour Montgomery is augmented by the Idle Jets' virtuoso
guitarist Pat Buchanan, drummer Paul Deakin and bassist Robert
Reynolds of The Mavericks. Reynolds, to his eternal credit has shamelessly traded
on his name and recent past to recruit an audience for what he
sees as a rare and wonderful talent.
Montgomery and co. have returned to their roots,
blending the exquisite songs from the album with
crowd-pleasing standards throughout the two-hour set.
The
highlight of the evening is Montgomery's best song, the
delicate 'Broken', sung only to the accompaniment of
Buchanan's fragile guitar, substituting for the piano on the
album. The crowd
are held in an enraptured silence before an emotion-filled
rendition of 'At Our Best' tells the story of how a
photograph freezes a moment in time where everything in his
life is perfect. We
are never offered explanations as to what life has thrown at
this deep-thinking individual to cause him to reflect so
poignantly on that particular point in his life.
As he sings in the album's title track, 'Man
that's just another long story.'.
While
the ballads showcase Montgomery's vocals, Jackson Browne
influences mix with the Gin Blossoms' Rickenbacker guitar
styles to define the driving rhythm of 'Melrose' and the
less frenetic 'Let's All Go To California', where a lost
love is implored to 'Do it for me, girl'.
The
gig is brought to a climactic end with Robert Reynolds taking
centre-stage for a medley of sixties classics, Pat Buchanan
striking guitar hero poses atop a nearby table, and Paul
Deakin trashing his drum kit as reward for those that turned
out primarily to see two thirds of The Mavericks.
Wonderful entertainment, but sadly leaving no time or
opportunity for Montgomery to round off the show with either
of the gentle classics from the first album, 'Red-Blooded
American Boy' or 'Fear Nothing'.
We
have been promised another tour in the spring, miss those gigs
at your peril. If Kevin doesn't feel inspired, we could be
talking 2008 before we see him again.
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| J.M.,
UK |
With the UK "renegade tour" already underway, Kevin
Montgomery and the band are thrilling audiences across the UK with their awesome shows!
There are no words to describe the Kevin, Robert, Paul, Pat and Jeff
collaboration... Fantastic, exciting, phenomenal - put them all together and
you've got the idea!
The guys have been playing nearly 3 hours of non stop cosmic music,
rockin' the joint and emitting an energy that flows from the band, right through to
the audience.
The shows are opening with Jeff Finlin, who has an amazing and unique
vocal talent, performing a set that includes material from his new album,
"Original Fin". Kevin and the band are seemingly having the time of
their lives, bringing out songs like old friends, treating fans to a range of
songs from Kevin's album, "Another Long Story" - which includes a solo spot too;
showcasing Kevin's beautifully pitched vocal ability.
The guys bring together a selection of songs like a box of luxury
chocolates - where you are spoilt for choice, and all have a favourite
centre - including covers such as "Not Fade Away", "Who Do You Love",
"American Girl", and material from Pat's band, The Idle Jets, such as
"Genius of the Obvious".
With Pat Buchanan's mind blowing guitar work, and Paul's frenzied drumming
style setting the pace, there is no doubt that these guys know how to rock!
If you have any chance of getting along to one of these shows, TAKE IT! and
"Fear Nothing"... |
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| Paul
Cave, UK. From Borderline
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Another great night in great
company, a lot of Whisperers showed up, which was great, apart from the guy who
knew all the tunes but only half the words but sang along anyway
and was standing right behind me! I didn't take notes so it might
not be completely accurate, but it went somethin' like this:
JEFF FINLIN: Love and Happiness, The Perfect Mark of Cain, She's a Mama
Now, June, Sunday's Forgivin', Waitin' on a Flood, all ably assisted by Pat
'Idle Jets' Buchanan on electric guitar.
KEVIN MONTGOMERY et al: Another Long Story, Visions of White, Let's All Go
To California, Angel Tonight, A Song From the Idle Jets' Album (the name of
which escapes me) Tennessee Girl (a new composition which they are going to
record as part of a new album (KM & P, RR & PD) name of
band and album to be confirmed later) Melrose. A song which Kev's father wrote with Buddy Holly
when they were "chums growin' up together in Lubbock, Texas" the title of
which again escapes me...then Not Fade Away/Who Do You Love with
Robert Reynolds on vocals,and some great tambourine work from Jeff! American
Girl(the old Tom Petty tune) again with RR on vocal, At Our Best, Broken and
I Wish I Were Blind, were also in there somewhere as was Stumbled. They
finally got the nod that they should have left the stage at 23.00 (it was
23.15 by this point) but we wouldn't let them go without an encore:
Fear Nothing, which was a bit of a singalong....Great Stuff.
All the boys came straight out to meet and greet everyone afterwards as
usual so I got to say 'hi' and have a quick chat...Jeff has really settled
into the whole thing now but is still bowled over by the response his music
is getting...If you haven't seen 'em yet, get your skates on, and take
people with you, they won't be disappointed!
They started playing about 21.00 and there was no break between Jeff and the
rest. |
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| Picked
up at The Borderline Show on Bob Harris' site |
Actually, anything that Pat Buchanan played last night at The
Borderline would come pretty close to the top of my list.
Jeff Finlin was on first with Pat Buchanan helping him out on the
first track (Love & Happiness). Jeff came out looking like he
had just read the news on TV (Dinner Jacket, white shirt and ribbon bow tie on the top and
black jeans on the bottom!).
Pat has to be seen to be believed but my best description of him
would be a cross between Mike Nesmith, Jimmy Nail and Christopher Lloyd with a
guitar style which had to have been inspired by Joe Cocker! This is one
crazy guy!
Anyway, back to the music - Jeff's voice was on top form and his closely
observed, definitely non-PC lyrics soon had me smiling like a Cheshire cat
(an expression that stayed with me for the next 3 hours!). After an all too
short set, he left the stage but with a promise that "I'll be back".
Before I had a chance to finish buying my obligatory "Another Long Story"
tee-shirt, Kevin was on stage along with Robert Reynolds, Paul Deakin and
PB. Well, all I can say is those guys sure know how to rock. We were treated
to the full band playing Kevin's songs, Kevin and Pat performing some of the
quieter numbers on their own and everyone (including Jeff
Finlin) with a medley of cover versions including a note-perfect
"American Girl" segueing into "Not Fade Away". Every time I looked around me, all I could see was a
sea of smiling faces (both on and off stage). If live gigs can get better
than this, then I want to know about it. Everyone of the band played an
integral part in the proceedings. Kevin's fantastic voice (obviously),
Robert's booming bass and irreverant between-the-tracks patter, Paul's low
key appearance belying his fantastic ability on the drums and then Pat B
who, at times, looked as if he was discovering fingerings on his guitar for
the first time!
All in all then a fantastic night - anyone in the Nottingham area -
get yourselves there tonight - you wont regret it.
Kevin remembered the words to Broken but I'd love to know what Paul was
meant to respond when Robert fed him the line "we've been rehearsing for 6
months and still don't know all the songs"? Kevin, if you get a chance,
please enlighten us! |
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| Michelle & Rob van
Vlijmen, UK |
KEVIN MONTGOMERY TOUR
"The Musician" - Leicester - Bank Holiday Monday, August 2000
"Where should Rob & I have been?" - Holland for a family 40th
Birthday celebration, "Where were we instead?" - Leicester, at
what looked from the outside like a most uninspiring venue - "The Musician". How right and how
wrong can you be . right to have chosen Leicester over Holland and wrong
about an uninspiring venue - bricks and mortar matter nought - the music
transcended the surroundings - Royal Albert Hall, eat your heart
out!!
Leicester, the "First Night" of the Tour, as the band called it,
was one of the most exciting gigs we've ever had the pleasure to
attend. As committed Maverick fans we went along to see "our guys", Robert Reynolds and Paul
Deakin touring with Kevin Montgomery and Pat Buchanan, with support from
Jeff Finlin, with open hearts and minds.
Purposely, we ignored all the links and info about Kevin and Jeff's music before the gig - we wanted to approach it
completely freshly and we were BLOWN AWAY!! All credit to Robert for believing in this project, firing
everyone else up, like only he can do and getting the tour beyond the late
night dreams "over cups of coffee" to off the ground and over to the
UK.
Musically the guys played their hearts out, giving us such a range
of styles from Jeff's wonderfully poetic lyrics as in "The Perfect
Mark of Cain" to Kevin's truly "pretty" voice in "Your Kind of
Love" and the majestical "Broken". The thoughtful and mood-provoking stuff sat perfectly with Pat
and Robert's own raw energy and it was just great to see Paul Deakin looking
so fit and well, - the lean, mean, drumming machine is back !! The
fun on stage surged through the crowd too, as encore after encore was produced,
seemingly "off the cuff". The guys were just having the time of their lives
bringing out songs like old friends all the while Robert and Pat unashamedly
pushing the merchandise to help fund the tour - the audience loving this
banter almost as much as the music!
It was a night of nights, one to remember and fantastic to "discover",
through Robert, some great "new" musicians who are such down-to-earth and
fun guys to chat to and hang out with - if all goes according to plan we
sure will see them again in the Spring. I'm sure Jacky and Lou who were
also there will give their own reviews on the night - it was great to meet
up with them again in our sporadic, nomadic, musical friendship and
share in something really special that was Kevin Montgomery and company at The
Musician, Leicester. |
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| Paul
Cave, UK. From Hopetoun House, Edinburgh |
Just back from (semi-) bonny Scotland and the first gig of the
Kevin Montgomery World Tour. A great show with some good banter and crowd rapport
from Kevin and Robert (Reynolds - when does he ever shut up!) He got Jeff
out to play one song and Pat Buchanan, who is taking Pettibone's place on
the tour, played a song from his band The Idle Jets.
The real highlight for me was the night before, though', as the
boys were staying just round the corner from me, and we met up
in the pub they were staying in, had a couple of beers then went
for a meal, and then back to the pub for more drinkies till long
into the night....Kevin was on great form as were the rest of the
boys, and what Pat Buchanan doesn't know about music ain't worth knowing. Definitely the highlight of my summer so far! I
also got the new tour T-shirt before anyone else!
If you haven't already got a ticket for a date near you, get one! |
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